When History Has Only One Take: Why Professionals Chose the RadioMaster TX16S MK3

On July 10, 2026, history was made.

China successfully completed the world’s first at-sea net recovery of an orbital-class rocket first stage, marking another major milestone in the development of reusable launch vehicles. It was a mission years in the making—one that would happen only once.

For aerospace engineers, success depended on thousands of systems working together flawlessly.

Capturing a Historic Moment from the Air

While the rocket team focused on the launch and recovery mission, the aerial photography team had their own important task: capturing the moment from the sky.

The fixed-wing aircraft used to record footage of the Long March-10B launch and recovery was controlled with a RadioMaster TX16S MK3.

The choice of equipment was made by the team operating the aircraft. For a mission like this, they needed a reliable control system they could trust under the demandin conditions at the Hainan launch site.

We are proud that the TX16S MK3 was selected for this important role and that RadioMaster could play a small part in helping document this historic achievement.

Built for Reliability

When equipment is used in professional environments, reliability is the foundation.

A dependable radio link, solid hardware, and consistent performance are essential. Whether flying a competition aircraft, a large-scale model, or an aerial photography platform, pilots need equipment that performs as expected every time.

The TX16S MK3 continues the TX16S series' development, combining a proven design with the latest ExpressLRS technology and RadioMaster’s focus on quality, testing, and long-term reliability.

Working under the intense summer heat of Hainan, the aerial photography team relied on equipment built for that environment. The TX16S MK3’s mature design, robust construction, and proven ExpressLRS RF performance gave the confidence to focus on the mission rather than the equipment in their hands.

Built on Years of Continuous Refinement

The TX16S didn’t become one of the world’s most widely recognized radio transmitters overnight.

Each generation has built on the last, with thousands of hours of development, testing, and real-world feedback from pilots around the globe.

The TX16S MK3 represents that evolution. From its solid mechanical construction and carefully engineered RF system to its refined hardware architecture, every improvement has been driven by a simple goal: deliver a radio pilots can trust.

ExpressLRS has become the preferred control link for countless professional and recreational pilots, offering exceptional link reliability, low latency, and robust performance. Combined with RadioMaster’s commitment to rigorous design validation and quality control, this results in a transmitter trusted across disciplines—from FPV racing and large-scale aircraft to industrial applications and aerial cinematography.

Trusted by Professionals. Proven by Champions.

Around the world, RadioMaster transmitters are flown every day by national champions, world-class FPV racers, precision aerobatic pilots, scale enthusiasts, and professional aerial imaging teams.

Regardless of the application, they all expect the same thing: A radio that performs consistently.

That confidence is earned through engineering, manufacturing quality, and relentless testing—not marketing claims.

Every product undergoes extensive validation before it reaches customers because we understand that reliability isn’t simply a feature. It’s the foundation upon which every successful flight is built.

Proud to Play a Small Part

The success of the Long March-10B belongs to the engineers, scientists, technicians, and countless others who made the mission possible.

We are simply proud that, when the aerial photography team selected the equipment they trusted to document this historic achievement, the RadioMaster TX16S MK3 was in their hands.

It is a reminder that while our products may be designed for RC enthusiasts, their reliability continues to earn the confidence of professionals working in demanding environments where performance truly matters.

There are moments when history happens only once. We’re honored that RadioMaster helped capture one of them.